Livestreams are entertaining race fans until grandstands open up again
Merrittville Speedway hopes to welcome back spectators starting in the middle of July
Merrittville Speedway will be racing for the first time this season with a three-division program featuring a visit by the Action Sprints Tour.
Entitled Operation Green Flag: Mission Merrittville, the Saturday, June 27, livestreamed event will include a $1,000-towin Sportsman race, as well as an $800-to-win main event in Mini Stock, the Thorold track’s four-cylinder class.
COVID-19 public gathering restrictions remain in effect for spectator sports in Ontario, so race fans will have to make do with taking in the action free of charge on Gforce.tv.net. The race will be re-aired at a later date on REV TV Canada, formerly MAV TV Canada. “When that goes on REV TV, it is going to be amazing for the race-car drivers and Merrittville,” Don Spiece, the speedway’s owner, said in an interview Monday.
With more than two weeks to go, registration is already full in Crate Sprints. Spiece said 28 of the winged warriors of the dirt racing circuit will be competing in a 20-lap feature.
Registration in Sportsman will be capped at 30 — “We’re already three-quarters full,” he said — while up to 30 Mini Stocks can take part.
Distances for the Sportsman features are expected to be 30 and “20 to 25” laps, respectively.
With no revenue from the gate and no rights fees from the broadcaster, the track is counting on sponsorships from businesses and individuals in the community.
“We’re hoping that people come forward and help us sponsor the night just so we can get ahead a bit,” Spiece said.
“We’re relying on people in the community to come forward and help out and sponsor different parts of the race.”
Rick’s Delivery, a regular-season sponsor of the Sportsman class along with RM Racing Lubricants, has given $1,000 to offset costs, and sponsorship deals are in the works for the Crate Sprints and 4-cylinder Mini Stocks.
Spiece is confident more sponsors will be coming onboard.
“I think people will come forward and try to help out. Everybody wants racing to happen,” the former racer said. “I feel everybody is going to jump in and help out.”
Greg Calnan and Adam Ross will be in the booth announcing the action and Clinton Geoffrey will be trackside.
Merrittville announcers Jonathan Howe and Steven Petty will also be incorporated into the program.
“We are excited to bring racing back to Merrittville and to show race fans from across the country and around the world the facility and great action we have weekly,” Spiece said.
Registration from the race teams will not be enough to cover the cost of running the race and providing payouts to drivers. In addition to placement money for the top finishers, all drivers who advance to the Sportsman and Mini Stock features will go home with at least $150 or $100, respectively.
“Oh no, it’s not even close,” Spiece said of the comparison between the revenue generated from registration and the overall cost of running the program.
A second livestream, this one highlighting the 358 Modified, 360 Sprint and Hoosier Stock racing classes, is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, but Spiece believes the Ontario government will allow tracks to welcome back fans, albeit at a limited capacity.
“I believe by Phase 3 will make it so we can do it,” the speedway owner said. “And, when we do, we’re just going to go racing until the middle of October if we have to. Whatever it takes to keep the racing going, we will do it for as long as we can.”
COVID-19 has delayed Merrittville’s season by at least two months. It was scheduled to hold its annual Spring Sizzler April 18, followed by its 69th season opener the following week.
People interested in promoting their business on the livestream and radio broadcast can contact Lorraine Spiece at lorraines.merrittville@gmail.com.
TRACK TALK: Upwards of 40 cars across several racing classes took part in a test-and-tune practice at Merrittville on Saturday night. … The next practice for karts around the infield track is on Tuesday, June 16.